Wed, 08/14/2013 - 17:02

Emerald Downs: Sprints should have Gladding primed for Longacres Mile

Marcel Langevin/Vassar Photography
Gladding, winning the Alamedan Handicap at Pleasanton last year. was claimed twice in January for $62,500.

AUBURN, Wash. –Vann Belvoir plans to enjoy his homecoming in the Pacific Northwest when he returns to Emerald Downs to saddle Gladding on Sunday in the Grade 3, $200,000 Longacres Mile. But for the trip to be profitable on the business end for the Southern California-based trainer, Gladding will need to be more cooperative than he was for his previous connections in 2012, when Gladding shipped north as the pre-race favorite for John Sadler, only to spike a fever and miss the race.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 16:28

Remington Park: Plenty of positives as meet begins

Remington Park in Oklahoma City begins its 25th anniversary season Friday night with much on the horizon. Alternation and Prayer for Relief will be in action Saturday in the $175,000 Governor’s Cup, the Oklahoma Derby has been reinstated to Grade 3 status for its Sept. 29 renewal, and a $100,000 race for 2-year-old fillies has been created to share the card with the closing-day $250,000 Springboard Mile for 2-year-olds on Dec. 15.

Remington also has rolled out a new integrity policy, adjusted its post times, and welcomed a handful of new jockeys and stables.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 16:22

Saratoga: Dayatthespa stands out in Yaddo Stakes

Barbara D. Livingston
Grade 1 winner Dayatthespa will face five fellow New York-breds in Friday's $150,000 Yaddo Stakes.

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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – On paper, Dayatthespa looked like a major contender in the Diana Stakes here three weeks ago. But on the track, Dayatthespa looked like she wasn’t ready for the effort needed to compete in a Grade 1 race, according to trainer Chad Brown.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 16:17

Louisiana Cup to feature eight stakes worth $570,000

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Louisiana’s best horses, riders, and trainers are set to converge on Louisiana Downs on Saturday for Louisiana Cup 2013. Eight stakes, all restricted to Louisiana-breds, will be worth a combined $570,000.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 15:45

Woodbine notes: Baker looks to stay hot in Ontario Colleen, Breeders' Stakes

Michael Burns
Global Express (inside), one of the favorites for Sunday's $500,000 Breeders' Stakes, breezed four furlongs in 48.40 seconds Wednesday.

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The Reade Baker barn was cooking here last Saturday and Sunday, sending out five winners from eight starters. And Baker will look to transfer that winning touch to a couple of turf stakes here this weekend, with Big Brown Brookski and She’s Popular going postward for Saturday’s Grade 3, $150,000 Ontario Colleen and Scipio set for Sunday’s $500,000 Breeders’ Stakes.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 15:18

Hastings: Mutti leaving as general manager to oversee Hard Rock Casino Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Great Canadian Gaming Corporation announced Tuesday that Hastings general manager Raj Mutti is leaving the Vancouver track to play a pivotal role in rebranding and renovating the Boulevard Casino in Coquitlam, British Columbia, into the Hard Rock Casino Vancouver. Mutti has been named executive director of the Hard Rock Casino, which is expected to open this winter. Great Canadian is the parent company of Hastings and the owner of the Boulevard Casino.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 15:17

Del Mar: Mandella prefers Sandy Blue for Sarach rather than Oaks

Shigeki Kikkawa
Sarach, winner of the Honeymoon Handicap, cuts back to a mile for Friday's Sandy Blue Handicap.

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DEL MAR, Calif. – The other morning, trainer Richard Mandella was poring over the past performances for the $90,000 Sandy Blue Handicap on Friday at Del Mar, as well as the prospective lineup for the Grade 1, $300,000 Del Mar Oaks on Saturday, trying to figure out what would be the best option for his 3-year-old filly Sarach this weekend.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 15:06

Northlands Park: Broadway Empire lands post 11 for Canadian Derby

Morning-line favorite Broadway Empire will break from post 11 in Saturday’s Grade 3, $200,000 Canadian Derby at Northlands Park. Post positions were chosen by representatives of the 12 horses that entered the 1 3/8-mile race for 3-year-olds at a brunch held Wednesday morning at Northlands.

Trainer Robertino Diodoro was disappointed when he had the last choice with Broadway Empire.

“I wanted him closer to the rail, where he could settle in behind horses, but you have to play the hand you’re dealt with,” Diodoro said.

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 14:56

Golden Gate Fields opens 19-day summer meeting

Golden Gate Fields opens its 19-day summer meeting on Friday, and for the first time in three years, the meet will include a stakes.

The $50,000-added Rolling Green Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for 3-year-olds and up, will be run on Labor Day.

“We have a little more positive momentum,” racing secretary David Jerkens said. “We were able to add a stakes race, and that’s a positive moving forward.”

Wed, 08/14/2013 - 14:43

Woodbine: Four sons of Philanthropist square off in Friday turf allownace

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – There are four sons of the good turf sire Philanthropist in Friday’s Woodbine headliner, including Crushin Hard, who is seeking his second straight win in the one-mile turf allowance race for Ontario-sired runners.

Crushin Hard had an encouraging season opener in a one mile and a 70-yard allowance that was moved to the Polytrack on June 14. After awaiting room on the far turn, he closed belatedly to finish third behind a sharp Renegade Man, who subsequently won a tougher Ontario-sired allowance before finishing second in an open allowance.